Manchester City welcomed Tottenham Hotspur to the Etihad Stadium knowing that a victory would see the defending champions move to second in the Premier League.
Steven Caulker put the visitors ahead with a bullet header that Joe Hart was unable to stop.
However, an equaliser from Sergio Aguero and a late strike from Edn Dzeko ensure that Roberto Mancini's side collected the points.
Find out how the drama unfolded below.
Good afternoon everyone. What a day of Premier League football we have ahead of us on Remembrance Sunday. The day's early match is Man City vs. Spurs and we'll have coverage throughout this crucial game.
We'll begin with team news for both sides.
Man City: Hart, Zabaleta, Kompany, Nastasic, Clichy, Yaya Toure, Barry, Silva, Tevez, Aguero, Kolarov
Spurs: Friedel, Walker, Gallas, Caulker, Vertonghen, Sandro, Huddlestone, Lennon, Bale, Dempsey, Adebayo
The big news for the champions is that David Silva returns to the starting lineup following more than a month on the sidelines.
Some people may be surprised at the Spurs team, though. A hat-trick in midweek isn't enough to keep Jermain Defoe in the team as Villas-Boas brings in Emmanuel Adebayor against the striker's former club.
Roberto Mancini is blessed with attacking players but it's the Aguero & Tevez combination that gets the nod today as the champions look to close the gap on their rivals at the summit of the Premier League table.
Remember this fixture last season? Mario Balotelli's stoppage time penalty snatched the points for City in a 3-2 thriller in January.
30 minutes until kick-off at the Etihad. Adebayor could be a big player for the visitors today against his old teammates. Defoe will surely be disappointed with his place on the bench but don't back against him making an impact later in the game.
AVB has just told Sky Sports News that Defoe has been "immense" this season but that the decision to start Adebayor was because of Tottenham's "tactical strategy".
More from Villas-Boas: "There are teams who want to put an end to our form away from home and City, as English champions, certainly have that power. It is certainly going to be a very difficult game."
Silva's inclusion certainly makes City's attacking threat look even more intimidating but it's their defensive displays that will have concerned Mancini this season. Nastasic partners Kompany today but the jury is still out on the Serbian.
Mario Balotelli is not even on the City bench today, no word on the reason as yet, though.
The players are lined up in the tunnel, kick-off is just over five minutes away.
Adebayor is all smiles as he greets his former teammates before the game. remains to be seen how long that lasts.
There will be a minute of silence before the match begins.
Man City will get the game underway.
We already have a delay with Adebayor being forced to change his shin pads.
Superb piece of defending from Clichy to stop Walker's run before beating Adebayor to the ball and winning a throw. Aguero is almost in when a long ball is delivered beyond the Spurs defence but Friedel collects easily.
Seems to be a lot of space in midfield for Silva so far. That isn't good news for Spurs.
No chances to report yet with Spurs struggling to keep possession further up the field.
Clichy doesn't cover himself in glory this time as he clips the heels of Lennon to concede a free kick on the halfway line.
Silva tries to find Kolarov with a cleverly hidden pass but it's too strong and Friedel gathers the ball.
Barry's pass is cleared by Gallas and it's a corner to the hosts.
The danger is cleared but Spurs can't force a counter attack.
Huddlestone looks as if he wins the ball from Toure but Michael Oliver disagrees and it's a free-kick.
It's very far out but Kolarov does have a shot that Friedel collects at the second time of asking.
Optimistic shouts of penalty from the home crowd when Walker dispossesses Aguero but there's no chance that's being given.
Huddlestone delivers a free-kick from the left wing and it brings a corner when Kolarov heads over his own crossbar.
City clear the corner easily. This is a real midfield battle so far.
Vertonghen produces a very dangerous cross but Kompany reacts well. The ball is once again delivered into the box and Spurs are almost in but the ball won't drop for Lennon.
Goal! Man City 0-1 Spurs (Caulker)
Huddlestone delivers a superb cross from a free-kick on the right wing following a foul on Lennon. Caulker loses Kolarov and his header is too powerful for Hart to keep out. Advantage Spurs, how will City react?
That goal sparks a response from the hosts and City have claims for a penalty rejected when Aguero tries to beat Gallas in the box. Handball? It's difficult to tell on first viewing.
Oh, Spurs have been very lucky there! Gallas has his arm out and he does make contact with the ball but it doesn't look like Michael Oliver had a good view.
So close to a second for Spurs! Adebayor breaks down the left and then finds Huddlestone with a clever back-heel but the midfielder fires just wide with his effort.
Walker is shown a yellow card for a foul on Toure before the atmosphere is increased when Adebayor and Zabaleta engage in a bit of handbags on the halfway line.
Zabaleta was given a warning following that incident and Adebayor plays on that by beating the full-back with a superb bit of trickery to win a foul which the South American is booked for.
Sandro does superbly to win a goal-kick with a big tackle on Kolarov in the corner of the pitch.
City still look the more comfortable side in possession but not too many clear opportunities for the men in blue.
Zabaleta's mood is not improving as he is denied a penalty following a collision with Huddlestone. It would have been harsh on the midfielder.
Toure spreads the ball wide to Aguero, who then finds the advancing Kolarov but the full-back clips the ball wide of Friedel's post. Better from City.
The home side beginning to lose a bit of discipline and Spurs have another free-kick on the right hand side of midfield. Toure down with a knee injury, he's trying to carry on.
Good spell for City with Vertonghen being forced to head clear a Kolarov cross and Tevez then threatens from the right but Friedel does well to take the cross.
Break in play after Nastasic falls heavily on his back.
It's Kolarov's turn to get a little frustrated as he gives away a needless foul on Walker while the defender was under pressure to make a clearance.
Poor decision from Gallas almost allows Kolarov in and a bad clearance then falls to Aguero, who fires wide of the target.
Best chance of the game for the hosts. Silva begins an attack on the right wing and finds Tevez in the middle of the box but the Argentinian shoots straight at Friedel.
Michael Oliver has had enough of some of the dissent and asks Kompany to calm down his players. Free-kick to Spurs just inside City's half.
Jeers around the Etihad when Lennon wins a free kick while facing his own goal but that's silly from Barry as he clips the winger's heels.
All of a sudden we have a bit of an ill-tempered game on our hands. Lennon and Kolarov come face to face on the edge of the pitch but Kompany quickly defuses the situation.
Another chance for the hosts when the ball drops to Zabaleta inside the box but the full-back's effort is weak and Friedel easily holds on to the ball.
Boos ring out around the stadium, aimed at Michael Oliver. City look frustrated at the end of a tight first period. The hosts probably edged it but it's Spurs who lead following that bullet header from Caulker.
I think Hart will be disappointed with himself for his role in the opener. Caulker's header was powerful but it was directed straight at the goalkeeper. Should have been kept out.
Man city have conceded eight goals from set-piece situations this season. For the champions, that's disappointing and it was poor marking from Kolarov which played a big part in Tottenham's goal.
No Balotelli on the bench for City, remember. Apparently he is not injured and just wasn't picked by Mancini. Expect the Italian to use his substitutes very soon if they don;t find a goal quickly.
The players have returned for the second period. Big half for City, they can't afford to lose ground to man United this afternoon.
Spurs get the second half underway.
It won't be surprise to learn that City have given away a free kick already.
City do start the half positively when Toure and Tevez combine to find Zabaleta, who wins a corner.
Tevez looks like he may be clear of the Spurs defence but an offside flag stops his progress.
Spurs yet to settle since the resumption of play and the hosts look a step quicker.
City are camped in Tottenham's half at the moment but they're struggling to find a way through.
Neat passing from Silva and Aguero creates an opening but a poor touch from the Spaniard allows Spurs to recover.
Sandro concedes a corner following a tackle on Aguero. It's a poor delivery from Kolarov but City have another corner which Kompany heads over the crossbar.
Unusually Aguero's touch lets him down when he is given the ball in acres of space behind the Spurs defence.
First change of the match as Nastasic comes off to be replaced by Maicon.
Clever pass from Toure finds Tevez but he is once again given offside. This time, it's a poor decision from the assistant referee.
Maicon getting plenty of stick from the visiting supporters. Presumably for his performance for Inter Milan against Bale a couple of seasons ago.
Toure finds space in the box but his effort from a tight angle is no bother to Friedel.
Spurs haven't had a chance in this half, City have changed to a back three following Maicon's introduction.
Bale sees an effort from distance land safely wide of Hart's goal. Tension beginning to build at the Etihad.
Lennon's efforts to get back end in a free kick for City following a foul on Clichy. Poor delivery from the full-back means Spurs clear the danger.
Goal! Man City 1-1 Spurs (Aguero)
Toure finds Aguero just inside the box and the striker beats Caulker easily before slotting the ball past Friedel. Game on!
Spurs looking rattled now as the volume increases in the Etihad.
Maicon's drilled cross evades everyone in the box, close call for Spurs, that one.
Adebayor does brilliantly to beat three players in the middle of the park before being fouled by Kompany.
A bouncing ball results in a full-blooded challenge between Sandro and Toure. The Ivorian comes off the worse, taking a blow to the ribs.
Zabaleta furious with the referee after being dispossessed by Adebayor. The defender is on a yellow card and needs to be careful.
Tevez finds a pocket of space inside the box but fires the resulting shot inches wide of the post. That's it from the striker for today as he comes off the field to be replaced by Edin Dzeko.
Big chance! Bale comes out on top of two challenges and drills a shot at goal that forces Hart into a good save.
Big challenge from Adebayor on Zabaleta. No decision as yet but the referee may come back to it.
Adebayor is booked for that earlier challenge on Zabaleta. Final 15 minutes at the Etihad, City look the most likely to find a winner.
Change for Spurs sees Walker limp off to be replaced by Michael Dawson. Gallas moves to right-back.
Maicon plays a through ball into the path of Silva but the Spaniard's touch is poor and City have a corner. The set-piece is well taken but Dzeko heads a yard wide of the post.
Another change for Spurs with Adebayor being jeered as he leaves the field to make way for Defoe.
Aguero stumbles his way into Tottenham's box and finds Kolarov but the Serbian's effort is deflected wide and Spurs deal with the resulting corner.
So close to a second for City! Aguero picks out Silva but the midfield maestro guides his shot wide of the target from 10 yards.
Friedel comes to the rescue for Spurs by blocking Aguero's powerful strike with his legs. Spurs break and Bale is close to picking out Defoe before Kompany clears.
Clichy's heavy touch almost lets Dempsey in. Game is beginning to open up as Dawson clears another Maicon cross.
City really putting the pressure on Tottenham's defence now. Villas-Boas is seeing his side pass the test so far. Lennon comes off for Kyle Naughton.
Goal! Man City 1-2 Spurs (Dzeko)
Silva is allowed too much space outside the area and the Spaniard chips the ball over Tottenham's defence to allow City's super sub to drill in a crucial goal. Surely the winner for the champions!
Defoe looks as though he may break away but Clichy recovers superbly to deny the striker a shooting opportunity. Javi Garcia comes on to replace Aguero as City look to secure the points. Five minutes of added time remaining.
Time running out for Spurs with City looking comfortable in defence.
A Spurs attack breaks down and Naughton gives away a foul on the halfway line. That should be the points for City.
Full-time: Man City survive one final Spurs attack and it's a crucial three points for the defending champions. Dzeko doesn't like being labelled a super sub but it's the Bosnian's late striker that earns City the victory.
Spurs defended well for long periods of the game but the hosts finally turned their pressure into goals. Villas-Boas will take heart from this result but it's two defeats in a row for the Lilywhites.
That's all from me today. Thanks for following today's match and be sure to stay with Sports Mole as Sunday's Premier League action continues.
Written by
Callum Mulvihill
Callum Mulvihill
